Sautéed Chicken with Popular Puerto Rican Sofrito

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender chicken breasts cooked with a vibrant Puerto Rican sofrito sauce combining peppers, onions, and garlic for a flavorful, popular island dish. This caribbean-inspired chicken ready in about 35 minutes pairs olive oil, diced medium green bell pepper, diced medium red bell pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 Caribbean cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper, then sear chicken breasts for 5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
  2. Step 2: In the same skillet, add 1 tbsp olive oil, then sauté 1 diced medium green bell pepper, 1 diced medium red bell pepper, 1 diced medium yellow onion, and 4 minced garlic cloves for 5 minutes until fragrant and softened.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 2 diced medium tomatoes, 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, and 1/4 cup water. Simmer the sofrito sauce for 5 minutes until it thickens and the flavors meld.
  4. Step 4: Return the chicken breasts to the skillet, spooning the sofrito sauce over them. Cook for 2 minutes more to combine flavors and warm through, then serve.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Sautéed Chicken with Popular Puerto Rican Sofrito take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (15 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Sautéed Chicken with Popular Puerto Rican Sofrito?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep olive oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Sautéed Chicken with Popular Puerto Rican Sofrito?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Sautéed Chicken with Popular Puerto Rican Sofrito for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Sautéed Chicken with Popular Puerto Rican Sofrito?

Caribbean chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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